Almost anticlimactic, but my therapist agreed to write a letter in support of HRT after a year of therapy. Prior to this, I had gone to my old GP and asked for help, and he prescribed a very low dose of AA and androgen inhibitor. Then my insurance dropped him, so I had to start with a new GP. I went to my new GP with the letter and asked her how to proceed, and got the advice that I expected - go see an endocrinologist and we have some in the practice here in Houston that you could use.
I called the endocrinologist nurse in the clinic on duty and was asked what kind of hormone therapy was I interested in. When I answered estrogen, she became very abrupt and came back with the reply that they would monitor estrogen levels but they would not initiate it for me. So I called another endocrinologist in Houston and specifically asked if they would work on HRT as a means to moderate GID. Same response - abrupt and short answers.
Finally I searched ->-bleeped-<- for a recommendation for physicians in Houston who would help with MTF. There were some interesting comments about one well-known doctor who started people out on very high doses of spiro and E, so I crossed him off the list. He was also in the Houston Medical Center which can be a hassle to get in and out of. I finally found a good recommendation for a female internist who was located in the Houston Heights, along my work commute route, and saw good discussions about her staff's sensitivity to TG folks.
I calmed myself and called their office. When they asked for the purpose of the visit, I said - hormone imbalance. The nurse said "HRT?" Relieved, I said "Yes!"
She asked for my name and I gave her my male name and she then asked if I used another name, so I gave my female name. She asked if I had a letter from my psychologist and I was able to answer "yes!" rather enthusiastically ! We found a time next Thursday...so here I go!
My goal is to moderate the HID so I am hoping she will work with me.
Yays! :) Good job working your way through the maze, hon!
Hugs, Devlyn
Congrats! Wow, that was quite the journey to get to the start! You are there now, and sounds to be in a good place. Enjoy the ride! Look forward to hearing about your journey along the path.
I was able to get into the doctor a day early. The staff was entirely professional, and very friendly. They even asked if there was another name that I would like to be called. The doctor came in and we had a very frank and open discussion about my goals. I told her that I did not want to fully transition at this point, but wanted to moderate the gender dysphoria. She agreed that was possible and within the spectrum of people that she dealt with. But before prescribing anything, she wanted to establish a baseline blood chemistry history. So, I go in for blood work on Friday, and 10 days later, we will know what I should do.
congrats
Well, it's great to see another girl who got her prescription for the first time.
When are you planning to start?
So awesome
Wow, what an ordeal! Congratulations!
Quote from: Nobue on February 03, 2016, 06:31:42 PM
When are you planning to start?
As soon as possible!
Charla, congrats. I'm so happy for you. It's wonderful you were able to work through that maze. Hugs
Mariah
Great news, Charla.
As a general rule I believe gatekeepers have a place in the process, but their place should not be to obstruct. I'm so happy you found someone who understands the role.
Quote from: Charla on January 29, 2016, 06:56:03 AM
Almost anticlimactic, but my therapist agreed to write a letter in support of HRT after a year of therapy.
Charla, would you mind telling us how many sessions you had with your therapist during that year of therapy? If you'd rather not tell the world, please feel free to PM me. Thanks.
Quote from: diane 2606 on February 03, 2016, 10:46:10 PM
Charla, would you mind telling us how many sessions you had with your therapist during that year of therapy? If you'd rather not tell the world, please feel free to PM me. Thanks.
Do tell Charla I want to know.
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Quote from: diane 2606 on February 03, 2016, 10:46:10 PM
Charla, would you mind telling us how many sessions you had with your therapist during that year of therapy? If you'd rather not tell the world, please feel free to PM me. Thanks.
I had 8 sessions with that particular psychologist and 4 sessions with a psychiatrist. I had other sessions with other therapists over the past 5 years, with some dismissing me as OCD, and others who had very aggressive approaches to transitions. These two were able to help me decide on a path forward. The psychiatrist gave a diagnosis of being transgender which helped solidify the psychologist's position. It did take me a while to find a the right doctor who was sympathetic to my and other TGs situation and who will prescribe HRT.
Quote from: Charla on February 04, 2016, 04:46:56 AM
I had 8 sessions with that particular psychologist and 4 sessions with a psychiatrist. I had other sessions with other therapists over the past 5 years, with some dismissing me as OCD, and others who had very aggressive approaches to transitions. These two were able to help me decide on a path forward. The psychiatrist gave a diagnosis of being transgender which helped solidify the psychologist's position. It did take me a while to find a the right doctor who was sympathetic to my and other TGs situation and who will prescribe HRT.
Look like they need to be sure for HRT, so you will not regret later.
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